Phenomenal characteristics of memories of daily actions in checking-prone individuals

The Cognitive Heterogeneity of Obsessive-Compulsive Checking

The present article reviews the phenomenology of obsessive-compulsive checking, examining how action processing can be differentially affected across distinct checking subtypes. Checking is a normal phenomenon which ensures that an intended goal has been actually completed. Checking symptoms have consistently been connected to impairments in processing information related to self-performances. Theoretical and empirical work has explained compulsive checking as a result of various cognitive deficits related to action processing (e.g., low confidence in cognitive abilities, impaired memory for actions, abnormal reality monitoring, overactive action monitoring, defective goal processing). Such apparent inconsistencies are, however, in agreement with clinical and empirical observations highlighting substantial variability in the subjective experience preceding/accompanying checking. Many factors can in fact prevent the cognitive system from determining whether or not an intended goal has actually been achieved. We argue that several action processing mechanisms are likely affected in checking; the related subjective experience may vary accordingly.

Exploring metacognitive components of confidence and control in individuals with obsessive-compulsive tendencies

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Obsessive-compulsive (OC) patients typically display reduced metacognitive confidence, but findings regarding the scope of this phenomenon and factors that mediate it have been inconsistent. This study aimed to further the understanding of reduced metacognitive confidence in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) by exploring the relationship between metacognitive processes and OC tendencies.

METHODS

High and low OC participants answered a general-knowledge questionnaire, rated their confidence in each answer, and decided whether or not to report each answer.

RESULTS

High and low OC participants did not differ either in their performance (general knowledge) or in their subjective estimations or confidence regarding their performance. The two groups also did not differ in the effectiveness of their metacognitive monitoring or in the relationship between monitoring and report-control decisions (control sensitivity). However, the two groups did differ in response criterion, with high OC participants less willing to report answers held with low-to-medium levels of subjective confidence.

LIMITATIONS

The study was conducted with non-clinical participants, which limits generalization to OCD.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that conservative response criterion among OC individuals might be the critical factor underlying feelings of doubt and uncertainty endemic in OCD.

Current research on cognitive aspects of anxiety disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cognitive dysfunction is frequently reported in anxiety disorders. Our aim is to describe recent advances concerning these cognitive aspects.

RECENT FINDINGS

Cognitive dysfunction in anxiety disorders can be classified into four domains. The first concerns executive functions, mainly attentional processes. The second concerns memory, including deficits in working, episodic, and autobiographical memory. The third encompasses maladaptive cognitions, or thoughts and beliefs. Finally, a burgeoning area of research (mainly in obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder) concerns metacognitions, or thoughts and beliefs about one's own thoughts and beliefs. All of these dysfunctions may contribute to maintain or aggravate anxiety disorders. When developing and implementing interventions, researchers and clinicians alike must consider these cognitive aspects, and may need to tailor their approaches accordingly.

SUMMARY

Advances have clearly been made in the elucidation of the cognitive functioning associated with anxiety disorders. It remains unclear if particular cognitive profiles can help to distinguish anxiety disorders from one another, although emerging evidence suggests this may be the case. Further clarification will add to our understanding of the development and maintenance of these disorders, and may provide targets for future therapy and endophenotypes.